letter written in 1857

HANSEN, ERIKSEN, ANDERSEN, JOHANSEN

Posted By: Lisa Hanson-Braun (email)
Date: 1/21/2005 at 19:38:32

Dear Brother!

The letter dated the 19th of November we received the 21st of December, and it pleased us much to hear that it is going so well for you (pl.)

It would be a true joy for us to see your face wherever you are. But since the opportunity does not permit it, then we must let this thought pass until our God would send it in due time.

I must tell you that I, Johan Ek, have married Lisa (who lives at) Solberg. Now we have been married for 4 years and during that time have produced one little daughter whom we named up after our dear sister, and now all are in health and soundness. Since during the long time I have then been in apprenticeship with Lyr, then there has been so little to trim, that currently I do not see myself in a position at this time to fulfill your desire and my desire.

I must tell you further that all the apprenticeship articles are mentioned. It is doubly as expensive as the time you left Christiania in ________ you good friend. _________Eriksen became a widower in 1853 during the cholera period; then I will tell you that he has married again.
(page 2) I will constantly strive for, if God will grant me health to live until next Spring, if I could see you again, dear brother, since I miss you very much, since you were the only one who brought joy to me.

Further I am supposed to greet you from carpenter Andersen and his wife, that it going well with them.

Further I am supposed to greet you very zealously from your familiar workers at Lyr, that they wish you all future success and blessing.

I, your brother Erik Ek, want to say to you that I do not wish to leave Christiania, nor does my wife. But I will tell you that at this time I am faring well and have earnings and further good health and vitality. Further I will tell you that we have nothing to trim since you left. But is dead again. I will wish you a joyous New Year, health and vitality and everything else good.

(By another writer, indented at the top of the page):

As a good friend and comrade I also want to send you and your wife a true greeting. I have been married since you left as you probably remembered. The in that period of time we have produced two girl children, who are both deceased. My brother us also dead, and one of his children. We are all in good health at this time.

Frederik Johansen

Page 3
Furthermore we have nothing new to tell you. But herewith be most sincerely greeted from your familiar friends and especially from your brothers and (their) wives and children, and that you and (your) family may fare well. Whenever you get this letter in (your) hands, then write back soon. When you do write, then address the letter to Nordbyegaden No. 1, Johan Ek.

Fare well, dear brother!

Christiania, the 2nd of January 1857

Most respectfully, J. Ek

The letter is addressed "To Marthin Hansen Ek,
Sogaarden, Denneson P., Waakesha Cauntte, Wisconsin"

Christiania 6 Jan. 1857; _____ SUND Jan. 1857; HAMBURG 13 Jan. 1857; BOSTON Ba. PKT. 31 Jan. (no year); K.S. _______ HAMBURG 12 Jan. 1857

One scrap where a seal had been torn a page has the word "health."

At the bottom of the first page of the letter is a notation that reads: This letter arrived the 14th of February 1857.